The Meishan (Currently Endangered) is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, domesticated breed of pigs in the world and is part of the Taihu group of Chinese pigs. Taihu pigs are prized in China and Japan for their succulent marbled meat and superior lard and fat quality.

The Meishan is considered a medium-sized lard carcass hog. Meishans were bred for hyper-productivity and prolificacy and to thrive in smaller areas and on rougher diets than other pig breeds. In conjunction with these traits, Meishans have been bred to be extremely quiet, docile, and sedentary, making them easier to manage than larger or more active breeds. Meishan litters by their third litter are typically in the 14 to 16 piglets range with litters occasionally hitting 20 or more. A sow in the USDA research herd once farrowed 28.

In addition to their large litters, they also enter puberty at approximately 90 days. Significantly faster than most domestic hog breeds. Sows typically have 16 to 18 teats or sometimes in excess of 20, allowing them to easily raise large litters of piglets. They’re excellent mothers and piglets are interestingly born with more highly developed digestive systems than conventional swine. This is believed to make the piglets more resistant to digestive diseases of piglets and allows for earlier weaning of piglets.

Unlike most pig breeds, Meishans thrive on a diet higher in fiber and roughage. They’re thought to have a lower environmental impact on pastures compared to other heritage and commercial swine breeds.

An association was developed for the breed and is known as the American Meishan Breeders Association (originally incorporated in Tennessee in October of 2016). The AMBA holds the herd book and registration services; recognizing foundation pure stock by using a documented chain of custody back to one of the three research herds. Percentages of bloodlines are tracked and COI is available on animals with at least a three-generation pedigree. The AMBA utilizes a breed description and tracks litter sizes as a performance criterion.

We are proud members of AMBA and all intact piglets are sold as registered stock.